Tales from the Inside

In today’s column, Michael Carey says the Albany County Board of Elections is trying to sabotage him on the ballot, the rumor mill inflates state Sen. Neil Breslin’s encounter with State Police into a titillating tale that swept through political/media circles Thursday and Dominick Calsolaro says Mayor Jerry Jennings’ office is lying to the citizenry about the true size of Albany’s budget.

Since it’s apparently quite the topic of discussion this morning, we’ll re-post the Breslin item — as reported by myself and colleague Jimmy Vielkind — in its entirety below:

The speed at which rumors fly in the days before an election practically approaches the sound barrier. And before you know it: sonic boom.

Insider was besieged with whispers Thursday about Sen. Neil Breslin’s encounter with State Police — much of it, apparently, untrue.

For the sake of quieting the chorus, here are the facts — as relayed by Breslin through Austin Shafran, a spokesman for the Senate Democrat.

On Tuesday evening, Breslin attended an event at Dale Miller Restaurant sponsored by the Civil Service Employees Association.

“He was pulled over, initially, because a car cut him off,” Shafran said. “A car abruptly pulled out of a parking lot in front of the senator, cutting him off, at which point the senator had flashed his high beams, and a state trooper pulled him over for flashing his high beams.”

A second person familiar with Breslin’s explanation said the incident happened in the area of the off-ramp from Interstate 787 to Route 9W.

According to Shafran, Breslin provided his license and registration to the trooper and at the request of the trooper took and passed a field-sobriety test.

“No tickets were issued, no charges were filed, the senator was thanked for his time,” Shafran said. He said Breslin had “absolutely not” been drinking.

Sgt. Kern Swoboda, a State Police spokesman, said it’s counter to agency policy to even confirm whether a trooper stopped the senator.

“We don’t comment on any traffic stop that doesn’t result in an arrest,” Swoboda said.

17 Responses

The Breslin story has holes in it. Are you telling me that the State Police pulled a vehicle over, gave the driver a sobriety test and has no record of this at all? Really?

If this was a simple traffic stop, how did it get from the traffic stop on the side of the road, to inside thousands of homes within days if there was nothing fishy? Something stinks here. Bring on ’9W Gate.’

I understand that in this case the driver is a sitting State Senator, a sitting deputy majority leader so I am sure there is nothing being dusted under the rug right….??? I need to go read the I.G. report released yesterday, I wonder if Breslin plans on returning contributions?

The Times Union has stated the facts… As stated by Neil Breslin. Now if that isn’t a contradiction in terms I don’t know what is!

Want facts?
1. Neil Breslin was pulled over by state police for flashing his high beams in an aggressive manner towards another driver.
2. The police officer suspected alcohol involvement and executed a field sobriety test.
3. Neil Breslin is released and thanked for his time.
4. No plates were ran, no record made, and video footage available is questionable.

Residents of Albany county and abroad, these are the facts. With such facts can you possibly formulate some logical conclusions?

I’m not even going to add my opinion. Let’s see how many people perceive what is to have happened based on THESE facts as reported by Jordan Carleo and Jimmy Vielkind.

Ever seen Neil Breslin? On a normal day he is flushed and has a speaking voice which is less than clarion clear.

If he was driving his car–why would they “run the plates”? They ID him as a state Senator. Meaning the cop knew he was pulling over a state Senator. If you are a trooper, why pull over a state Senator in the first place if you are just going to sweep everything under the rug?

I am confused to say the least, if this was a none event with Mr Breslin I.E. pulled over, everything good, sorry, have a nice day, then why do we know anything about it?. In other words if the officer did not call it in how did anyone know enough to say it even happened, if he or she did call it in wouldn’t there be some kind of record? Can someone ask the officer in question what actually happened? Like everyone else and I would hope that it doesen’t matter what side of the fence you are on would want to know what’s actually going on here. I would ask that the investgative reporters, and this includes all the media, start doing the job that investagative reporters are suppose to do and keep us the public informed.

First, I ask you to please read my earlier comment. Post #3. There are your facts. Without being just shy of Breslin himself admitting he was under the influence of alcohol (which isn’t going to happen) I don’t know how much more you’re looking for.

I’ve been listening to radio 1300 all day. Paul and Al have been going on and on with several callers inquiring into this, and it appears there is in FACT a story here. Many questions must be considered:

1. Was Breslin in fact under the influence of alcohol?
2. Who was the officer that stopped Mr. Breslin?
3. Is there any video evidence of what took place? (This would give evidence if Mr. Breslin truly and satisfactory passed a field sobreity test)
4. Is there any other party’s involved in a possible cover up?

Personally, I think we have enough fact and reasonable suspicion to conclude something shaddy is taking place, and that my friend is PLENTY for a story.

Although, as Common Sense has already stated, the Times Useless and the State Police are in bed to help Breslin. God knows Breslin’s opponent, Bob Domenici, is firmly against this type of crap happening within our state government; and I’m sure incidents like these he’d be calling for immediate investigations.

14 years folks with Breslin driving… 14 years. Do you think things are better? Do you like our new sales tax on clothes? Do you like businesses leaving the state in groves? Do you like rising property taxes, no STAR program, and no property tax caps? Do you like hearing about your senator possibly being involved in a DWI cover up???

Jordan,
Are you really sure there’s a record of the traffic stop? Have the troopers been sent a FOIL request for the radio tapes? Has DMV been FOIL’d for records of searches against Breslin’s license and/or registration? Get the facts.

(An aside) Almost two years ago I had the (mis)fortune of driving up to a DWI checkpoint at the southern end of I-87. When asked, I honestly answered that I had consumed one (1) beer, with my pizza, about two hours earlier. With a 15 mph, 20F, wind blowing INTO my face the young trooper said “I smell it” and ordered me to the rear of my car. I did the “touch your nose” and “follow my flashlight” thing and all I got in return was…….NOTHING. The trooper told his supervisor “he’s O.K.” and that was it. No “you are free to go” or “thank you for your cooperation”.

The worst part of it? The trooper never asked to see my registration, driver license, or insurance ID card. Yes, all were valid but he didn’t know that, and there was no record of my having been there.

Bottom line? I have the utmost respect for the men and women in law enforcement but (in my mind) this young trooper really added to the tarnish on the image of the NYS Police.

From JCE:The appropriate FOILs were sent first thing this morning, but don’t count on those seeing the light of day anytime soon. The State Police are fairly slow to respond, and there’s no way — in my opinion — they’re going to touch this before the election.

What I dont understand, is why does the TU NOT support Domenici For State Senate?? Will the TU support Breslin ?? I am hearing rumors that Breslin was pulled over and given a field sobriety test the other night!! Well, he admitted this himself !! Of-course the records have all vanished.. Such a fine example for our sons and daughters !!!

Making this incident the most pressing news coming out of this Senate election is really sad. Had he been arrested, then it would and should be an issue, but he wasn’t. All the speculation in the world won’t change the facts as we know them, and the facts tell us there is nothing here.